Carry at a theme park?

This is a discussion on Carry at a theme park? within the Concealed Carry Issues & Discussions forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Okay, so its Memorial day and the "unofficial" first day of summer. That got me thinking about theme parks. This year my wife wants us ...

Carry at a theme park?

Okay, so its Memorial day and the "unofficial" first day of summer. That got me thinking about theme parks. This year my wife wants us to go more often, having no kids it seems like a waste of time to me. Standing in line for ever and paying for over priced food and drinks doesn't sound very fun to me. But I agreed to go a few times, but I started wondering about my pistol at a theme park. I am sure you can carry but what about it falling out during a rollercoster ride? or where do you put it during one of those really wet rides my wife insists on riding?

My holster holds my gun securely, but I have never tested it hanging upside down! I think that is my biggest concern.

What do you do when your wife, husband, or kids start asking about going to a theme park? Do you leave your gun at home? Take it with you and risk loosing it? Or just tell them that theme parks are unsafe and dangerious and attend something else for the weekend?

Interesting point. However, I would be surpised if many theme parks allow concealed weapons. If they do, try a safe packer from Wilderness Tactical or one of Maxpeditions versipaks or back packs made for carry.

If you can legally carry, you should consider a holster with some form of retention, there are holsters with straps or some of the kydex type holsters that use a button to release the firearm or how about a fanny pack or Smartcarry. As far as the pistol getting wet , just clean and lubricate it when you get home. Another thing to consider is concealing your holster setup, after a wild ride you might end up with your shirt moved or wet and revealing your pistol.

Re hanging upside down: retention device in a good holster designed to fit the gun. And that's another reason I like appendix carry -- it's easy to drop a forearm over the gun without any effort at all.

Do you fall out of the car when going upside down on a roller coaster? Why should your gun? Thank you physics! I would be much more worried about lateral g forces on rides bumping your gun, and as you mentioned, the wet ones than simply going upside down.

I too would also feel more comfortable with retention on my holster though.

Do you fall out of the car when going upside down on a roller coaster? Why should your gun? Thank you physics! I would be much more worried about lateral g forces on rides bumping your gun, and as you mentioned, the wet ones than simply going upside down.

I too would also feel more comfortable with retention on my holster though.

people lose things like cellphones and money all the time. I don't think it would be a big issue with a pistol in a good holster though.

Most places like Bush Gardens will check your bags but won't check you're person or use a metal detector. Some do however so you might want to make sure it's not one of the few that do.

I would consider carrying your EDC in a holster with some type of retention. Whether it be a strap, snap, etc. just to play it safe. The odds are very unlikely you will lose your EDC but I would air on the side of caution. If you have a holster with some type of retention that might be the way to go. IMHO...

Okay, so its Memorial day and the "unofficial" first day of summer. That got me thinking about theme parks. This year my wife wants us to go more often, having no kids it seems like a waste of time to me. Standing in line for ever and paying for over priced food and drinks doesn't sound very fun to me. But I agreed to go a few times, but I started wondering about my pistol at a theme park. I am sure you can carry but what about it falling out during a rollercoster ride? or where do you put it during one of those really wet rides my wife insists on riding?

My holster holds my gun securely, but I have never tested it hanging upside down! I think that is my biggest concern.

What do you do when your wife, husband, or kids start asking about going to a theme park? Do you leave your gun at home? Take it with you and risk loosing it? Or just tell them that theme parks are unsafe and dangerious and attend something else for the weekend?

I'm not sure where you carry. Missouri is an open carry state except for the following. Take note of section 13 and section 26. Since a Missouri concealed carry endorcement is good in 35 states, I would venture to say that your state carry ristrictions would be similar or more restrictive.

Endorsement does not authorize concealed firearms, where--penalty for violation.
571.107. 1. A concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize the person in whose name the permit or endorsement is issued to carry concealed firearms on or about his or her person or vehicle throughout the state. No driver's license or nondriver's license containing a concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state shall authorize any person to carry concealed firearms into:

(1) Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol office or station without the consent of the chief law enforcement officer in charge of that office or station. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the office or station shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(2) Within twenty-five feet of any polling place on any election day. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the polling place shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(3) The facility of any adult or juvenile detention or correctional institution, prison or jail. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any adult, juvenile detention, or correctional institution, prison or jail shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(4) Any courthouse solely occupied by the circuit, appellate or supreme court, or any courtrooms, administrative offices, libraries or other rooms of any such court whether or not such court solely occupies the building in question. This subdivision shall also include, but not be limited to, any juvenile, family, drug, or other court offices, any room or office wherein any of the courts or offices listed in this subdivision are temporarily conducting any business within the jurisdiction of such courts or offices, and such other locations in such manner as may be specified by supreme court rule pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection. Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude those persons listed in subdivision (1) of subsection 2 of section 571.030 while within their jurisdiction and on duty, those persons listed in subdivisions (2) and (4) of subsection 2 of section 571.030, or such other persons who serve in a law enforcement capacity for a court as may be specified by supreme court rule pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection from carrying a concealed firearm within any of the areas described in this subdivision. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any of the areas listed in this subdivision shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(5) Any meeting of the governing body of a unit of local government; or any meeting of the general assembly or a committee of the general assembly, except that nothing in this subdivision shall preclude a member of the body holding a valid concealed carry endorsement from carrying a concealed firearm at a meeting of the body which he or she is a member. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(6) The general assembly, supreme court, county or municipality may by rule, administrative regulation, or ordinance prohibit or limit the carrying of concealed firearms by endorsement holders in that portion of a building owned, leased or controlled by that unit of government. Any portion of a building in which the carrying of concealed firearms is prohibited or limited shall be clearly identified by signs posted at the entrance to the restricted area. The statute, rule or ordinance shall exempt any building used for public housing by private persons, highways or rest areas, firing ranges, and private dwellings owned, leased, or controlled by that unit of government from any restriction on the carrying or possession of a firearm. The statute, rule or ordinance shall not specify any criminal penalty for its violation but may specify that persons violating the statute, rule or ordinance may be denied entrance to the building, ordered to leave the building and if employees of the unit of government, be subjected to disciplinary measures for violation of the provisions of the statute, rule or ordinance. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any other unit of government;

(7) Any establishment licensed to dispense intoxicating liquor or nonintoxicating beer for consumption on the premises, which portion is primarily devoted to that purpose, without the consent of the owner or manager. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the licensee of said establishment. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any bona fide restaurant open to the general public having dining facilities for not less than fifty persons and that receives at least fifty-one percent of its gross annual income from the dining facilities by the sale of food. This subdivision does not prohibit the possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the establishment and shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. Nothing in this subdivision authorizes any individual who has been issued a concealed carry endorsement to possess any firearm while intoxicated;

(8) Any area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the airport shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(9) Any place where the carrying of a firearm is prohibited by federal law;

(10) Any higher education institution or elementary or secondary school facility without the consent of the governing body of the higher education institution or a school official or the district school board. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of any higher education institution or elementary or secondary school facility shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(11) Any portion of a building used as a child-care facility without the consent of the manager. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent the operator of a child-care facility in a family home from owning or possessing a firearm or a driver's license or nondriver's license containing a concealed carry endorsement;

(12) Any riverboat gambling operation accessible by the public without the consent of the owner or manager pursuant to rules promulgated by the gaming commission. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of a riverboat gambling operation shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(13) Any gated area of an amusement park. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of the amusement park shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(14) Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(15) Any private property whose owner has posted the premises as being off-limits to concealed firearms by means of one or more signs displayed in a conspicuous place of a minimum size of eleven inches by fourteen inches with the writing thereon in letters of not less than one inch. The owner, business or commercial lessee, manager of a private business enterprise, or any other organization, entity, or person may prohibit persons holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the premises and may prohibit employees, not authorized by the employer, holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying concealed firearms on the property of the employer. If the building or the premises are open to the public, the employer of the business enterprise shall post signs on or about the premises if carrying a concealed firearm is prohibited. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises. An employer may prohibit employees or other persons holding a concealed carry endorsement from carrying a concealed firearm in vehicles owned by the employer;

(16) Any sports arena or stadium with a seating capacity of five thousand or more. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises;

(17) Any hospital accessible by the public. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle on the premises of a hospital shall not be a criminal offense so long as the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is on the premises.

2. Carrying of a concealed firearm in a location specified in subdivisions (1) to (17) of subsection 1 of this section by any individual who holds a** concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial to the premises or removal from the premises. If such person refuses to leave the premises and a peace officer is summoned, such person may be issued a citation for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars for the first offense. If a second citation for a similar violation occurs within a six-month period, such person shall be fined an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars and his or her endorsement to carry concealed firearms shall be suspended for a period of one year. If a third citation for a similar violation is issued within one year of the first citation, such person shall be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars and shall have his or her concealed carry endorsement revoked and such person shall not be eligible for a concealed carry endorsement for a period of three years. Upon conviction of charges arising from a citation issued pursuant to this subsection, the court shall notify the sheriff of the county which issued the certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement and the department of revenue. The sheriff shall suspend or revoke the certificate of qualification for a concealed carry endorsement and the department of revenue shall issue a notice of such suspension or revocation of the concealed carry endorsement and take action to remove the concealed carry endorsement from the individual's driving record. The director of revenue shall notify the licensee that he or she must apply for a new license pursuant to chapter 302, RSMo, which does not contain such endorsement. A concealed carry endorsement suspension pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 shall be reinstated at the time of the renewal of his or her driver's license. The notice issued by the department of revenue shall be mailed to the last known address shown on the individual's driving record. The notice is deemed received three days after mailing.

Can't legally carry here in NC. Theme parks charge an admission fee, and so it's not ok :( Personally, I don't know that I would. I'm a roller-coaster freak, and no matter how stable my gun was in my holster, those loop-de-loops would still make me think twice.